Sep 25, 2026

I'm a Car Expert: 5 Popular SUVs I'd Skip in 2026

Sometimes, looking for a new ride can feel like a complicated research project on par with writing a college thesis, rather than a fun and exciting shopping adventure for a brand new vehicle.

SUVs can be particularly tricky due to their tech and safety features – after all, SUVs are often selected as family vehicles, and guaranteed safety for your family is paramount. All of which is why having an expert opinion can be crucial when shopping for your new sport utility vehicle.

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With that in mine, MoneyLion spoke to Deividas Stankevicius, the founder of automotive data site GarageCalc.

“I went through all 49,801 complaints the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received in 2026 so far, model by model,” Stankevicius said. “Based on that data, here are five popular SUVs I'd personally skip this year, and the money logic behind each.”

1. Hyuandai Ioniq 5

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a rather popular SUV in the U.S., ranking as one of the bestselling non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) on the market. However, just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s worth your time and money.

“Complaints are up 181% this year, 587 so far, almost all electrical,” Stankevicius said of the Ioniq 5. “The known weak point is the ICCU charging unit, which has two active recalls covering roughly 145,000 cars. Out of warranty, that failure is a four-figure repair, and it can strand you with a dead 12V battery on top.”

2. Nissan Rogue

The Rogue is one of Nissan’s bestselling vehicles following a major overhaul in 2024. Still, Stankevicius said to be wary, noting that consumer complaints for the Roque are up 81% in 2026 (totaling 701 complaints for the year so far). The source of most of the complaints?

“The engine, which is the most expensive thing on a car to fix,” Stankevicius warned.

3. Kia Telluride

Complaints on the Telluride are at 394 for the year (that’s up 93% for 2026), and like the Rogue, most are related to the engine.

“A popular three-row with an engine-shaped question mark is a bad depreciation bet,” Stankevicius added.

4. Tesla Model Y

Tesla’s Model Y isn’t just popular, it’s been the bestselling car in the world for the last three years. Those high numbers though, also creates the opportunities for a high amount of malfunction. Currently, the Model Y has 606 complaints for 2026, which is up 97% year-over-year.

“Part of that is the redesign year,” Stankevicius said. “First-year builds always run rougher, which is exactly why I’d wait a year on this one.”

5. Ford Escape

Stankevicius noted that the opposite is true for the Escape – complaints are actually down for this SUV in 2026, by a whopping 15%. That said, “It’s still the most complained-about SUV in America in absolute terms, 1,477 [complaints] this year, concentrated in engine and powertrain," he added.

The Bottom Line

A popular SUV make and model doesn’t automatically guarantee that it’s the right ride for you or your family. As with any car-shopping journey, solid research is always needed.

However, it’s always worth noting which brands collect the highest number of complaints – because you want to make sure you’re not one of the folks who ends up having to make the complaint.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by

Travis Woods

Edited by

Zuri Anderson